Rock gathering machine



Nov. 27, 1956 J, BUCKLER 2,771,727

ROCK GATHERING MACHINE Filed Aug. 26, 195-3 2 SheetsSheet l 2 g'nveni'or afigm g rw Nov. 27, 1956 R. J. BUCKLER ROCK GATHERING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 26, 1953 8 nvenror Ro Buck/er Q T TORNA'KS ROCK GATHERING MACHINE Roy James Buckler, Cochrane, Alberta, Canada Application August 26, 1953, Serial No. 376,558

1 Claim. (Cl. 55-17) My invention relates to new and useful improvements in rock gathering machines, the principal object of my invention being to provide a device of the character herewithin described which is adapted to gather rocks from the ground, and dump same within a rock gathering cradle contained within the pick-up device.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which, in conjunction with the foregoing objects, is extremely compact inasmuch as the rock gathering cradle is carried within the rock pick-up reel.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described in which the penetration within the soil of the rock gathering reel can be controlled.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described in which the contents of the cradle can be dumped at any convenient point and, if necessary, without ceasing the operation of the machine.

A yet further object of my invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described in which the soil and stones are first separated during the pick-up process, further separated or disintegrated while being dumped within the cradle, and finally separated by the sieve action of the construction of the cradle.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a'deviceof the character herewithin described which is extremely simple in construction, economical in manufacture, and otherwise well suited to the purpose for which it is designed.

With the foregoing objects in view, and such other objects and advantages as will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates as this specification proceeds, my invention consists essentially in the arrangement and construction of parts all as hereinafter more particularly described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my device.

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Figure 3 is an enlarged side elevation of one of the pick-up tines.

Figure 4 is a plan view of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an enlarged side elevation of the lever and quadrant means for adjusting the depth of the reel.

Figure 6 is a plan view of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is an enlarged side elevation of the lever and quadrant means for tipping the cradle.

Figure 7 is a top plan view of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view showing the mounting of the reel and cradle to the framework.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

Proceeding now to describe my invention in detail, it will be seen upon reference to the accompanying drawings that I have provided a supporting framework collectively designated 10 consisting of a forward trans- United States Patent" 0 ice 2 verse member 11 and a pair of rearwardly extending side members 12 braced by diagonals 13. Extending forwardly and inwardly from the front member 11 are a pair of diagonals 14 which, together with a tongue 15 extending between the forward member and the apex 16 of the members 14, constitute a towing hitch whereby the implement may be drawn behind a tractor or the like (not illustrated). In this connection, I have provided power take-off means in the form of a shaft 17 mounted within bearings upon the tongue 15 and extending rearwardly to a bevelled gear box 18 secured to the member 11. Lay shaft 19 extends from the gear box 18 to the side members 12 of the framework and is mounted for rotation within bearings 20 secured to the frame members 12.

Braces 21 are pivotally secured to the side members 12 and extend downwardly therefrom, supporting for rotation in the lower ends thereof ground engaging wheels 22 mounted upon stub axles 23.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the relationship of the side members 12 with the ground may be adjusted by altering the angular relationship of the braces 21 and this alteration of angularity is obtained by means illustrated in detail in Figures 5 and 6.

A ratchet lever 24 is pivoted within a quadrant 25 and is adapted to actuate a crank 26 which in turn is connected by linkage means 27 to a point 28 adjacent the lower ends of braces 21 so that movement of the lever 24, for example, in the direction of arrow 29 will move the lower ends of the braces 28 towards the hitch portion of the framework, assisted by tension springs 30 extending between the braces and the side members 12 of the framework. This has the effect of lowering the rear end 31 of the framework with relation to the ground together with anything mounted between these ends, as will hereinafter be described.

An axle 32 is journalled between the ends 31 of the side members and carries a stone collecting cradle generally indicated by the reference character 33. This cradle consists of a substantially rectangular upper frame 34 including transverse members 35 and end members 36. Spanning the transverse members 35 is a plurality of spaced and parallel arcuately shaped bars 37, thus forming a semi-cylindrical trough of bars adapted to retain stones above a certain minimum size and release soil and small stones therebetween. In this connection, I have also provided end plates 38 secured to the side members 36 and having the same general configuration as the side elevation of the trough.

This trough is normally in the position shown in Figures 1 and 2, but it is apparent that it will be necessary to dump the contents of this trough and this is obtained by tilting the trough to the position shown in phantom in Figure 1. As hereinbefore described, the trough is secured to axle 32 by means of clips 39 embracing the axle and being secured to the side members 36 of the trough framework and it is therefore necessary to rotate the axle 32 partially in order to obtain the necessary tilt to the trough indicated in Figure 1.

This is obtained by the provision of a crank 40 secured to one end of axle 32 and having linkage means 41 extending forwardly to the hitch and connecting with a further lever and quadrant assembly 42, the details of which are illustrated in Figures 7 and 8.

This lever and quadrant assembly includes a ratchet ting the trough to take up the position shown in phantom in Figure 1.

A rock or stone pick-up reel assembly collectively designated 46 is also mounted for rotation within said framework. The reel assembly 46 comprises a pair of spiders 47 mounted upon hubs 48 and spanned by a plurality of bars 49 braced by a central surrounding strap 50. This reel assembly is mounted upon stub axles 51 and secured thereto, said axles being coaxially mounted upon the aforementioned axle 32, as clearly shown in Figure 9. so that it will be appreciated that the reel can revolve upon axle 32, but. if desired, axle 32 can be rotated independently thereof. I

Sprocket wheels 52 are also secured to the hollow stub axles 51, chains 53 extending between the sprocket wheels and further wheels mounted upon the aforementioned lay shaft 19 so that drive is transmitted simultaneously to both sides of the reel and adapted to rotate same in the direction of arrow 54 (Figure 1). It will be observed that the reel thus formed completely surrounds the cradle 33, thus giving a considerable saving in space over conventional rock picking devices.

A plurality of rock pick-up tines 55 are mounted upon the bars 49 in spaced and parallel relationship and at right angles thereto, these tines, which are shown in detail in Figures 3 and 4, consist of a shank portion 56 by which they are secured to the bars 46 in the conventional manner,

and a curved pick-up portion 57 which is adapted to face forwardly when in the lowermost position, as shown in Figure 1.

In operation, the device is connected to a tractor or similar means and the power take-off connected to shaft 17, thus permitting the reel assembly to be rotated in the direction of arrow 54.

The height of the reel with relation to the ground is adjusted by means of the ratchet lever 24, thus varying the relationship of the framework to the ground engaging wheels and permitting the pick-up tines 55 to penetrate the ground slightly'as shown in Figure l. The device moves forwardly and picks up earth and stones in the tines giving a partial separation while being lifted.

When the stones carried by the tines approach the uppermost position, they automatically drop towards the into the cradle and the motion of the machine sifts out any further soilor small stones between the bars 37.

When it is desired to dump the cradle, the ratchet lever 43 is operated, thus partially rotating the cradle together with axle 32 to the dumping position shown in phantom in Figure 1.

Finally, it should be pointed out that the tines on adjacent bars 49 are staggered with relation to one another, thus giving an efficient coverage to the soil being traversed.

Since various modifications can be made in my invention as hereinabove described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without departing from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

What I claim as my invention: I

In a rock gathering machine, the combination of a wheeled U-shaped frame having a forwardly projecting hitching tongue on the bight portion thereof, a transverse axle rotatably journalled in the free end portions of said frame, a pair of tubular stub-axles rotatably mounted on the end portions of said transverse axle, a stone picloup reel secured to said stub axles, means for rotating said reel independently of the transverse axle, a trough-shaped stone collecting cradle secured to said transverse axle for rotation therewith coaxially within said reel, said cradle having an open top substantiallyco-planar with the transverse axle and of a Width substantially corresponding to the width of said reel, a quadrant provided on said hitching tongue, a hand'lever movable over said quadrant, a shaft secured to and extending outwardly from said lever to one side of said frame, a crank provided at the outer end of said shaft, a second crank secured to an end of said transverse axle, and a link operatively connecting said second crank to the first mentioned crank, whereby said cradle may be tilted to a stone dumping position upon actuation of said lever.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 416,515 Stoddard Dec. 3, 1889 1,294,818 Marciniak Feb. 18, 1919 2,267,879 Tillitt Dec. 30, 1941 

